S.D. Honey Bee Colony Inventory from April

SD Ag Connection - August 3, 2017

UNDATED - Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in South Dakota as of January 1, 2017 totaled 21.0 thousand according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number of colonies in South Dakota on April 1, 2017 was 34.0 thousand. During 2016, honey bee colonies on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 were 47.0 thousand, 51.0 thousand, 178 thousand, and 146 thousand, respectively.

Honey bee colonies lost for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2017, was 2.70 thousand or 6 percent lost. During April-June 2017, 6.0 thousand colonies or 4 percent of colonies were lost. The quarter of July-September 2016, at 25.0 thousand or 13 percent, showed the highest number of lost honey bee colonies of any quarter during 2016. The quarter of January-March 2016 had a loss of 10.5 thousand colonies or 13 percent, the lowest number of honey bee colonies lost in 2016.

Honey bee colonies added for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2017, was 1.50 thousand colonies. The number of colonies added during the April-June 2017 quarter was 10.0 thousand. The quarter of April-June 2016, added 15.0 thousand colonies, the highest number of honey bee colonies added during 2016. The quarter of October-December 2016, at 0, showed the lowest number of honey bee colonies added in 2016.

Honey bee colonies renovated for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2017, was 440 colonies. The number of colonies renovated during the quarter of April-June 2017 was 20.0 thousand. During April-June 2016, 13.0 thousand colonies were renovated, the highest number of colonies renovated during 2016. The lowest number of honey bee colonies renovated for any quarter, at 0, occurred during January-March 2016. Renovated colonies are those that were requeened or received new honey bees through nuc or package.

Varroa mites were the number one stressor for operations with five or more colonies during three of the quarters in 2016. The quarter of October-December 2016 showed the highest percentage of varroa mites at 48.9 percent. The percent of colonies reported to be affected by varroa mites during January-March 2017 and April-June 2017 were 2.9 percent and 20.9 percent, respectively.